WordGarden.iopromisee
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Meanings
Noun
the person to whom a promise is made
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're building a treehouse with your friend. Your friend promises to bring all the wood, and you are the promisee - the person receiving that promise, waiting for the wood so the building can begin.
The promisee is simply the person or organization to whom a promise is made. The word is used most often in legal discussions about contracts. While the promisor makes the promise, the promisee receives it and may have the right to enforce it if it is broken. Think of a job offer - you are the promisee receiving the promise of employment.
The word promisee refers to the person, group, or organization to whom a promise is made. It is the counterpart of "promisor," which means the one making the promise. We use "promise" in everyday life all the time - promising to call, help, or show up on time - but promisee is mainly used in legal writing and contract law.
In contract law, the promisee is the party that receives the promise and is usually the one who can enforce it. In many agreements, that party also expects some benefit if the promise is kept. For example, if an employer offers you a job and promises to pay you for your work, you are the promisee with respect to that promise of payment.
It is important to note that the promisee does not have to ask for the promise; the promise simply has to be made to that person or party. In some contracts, both sides can be promisees because each side receives a promise from the other. In a sale, for example, the buyer may be the promisee of the seller's promise to deliver the goods, while the seller may be the promisee of the buyer's promise to pay.
So, when you hear "promisee," think about the side that receives a promise and may rely on it. That party is the recipient of the commitment and may have legal rights if the promise is broken. It is a useful word for understanding how agreements and legal promises work.
Examples
- 1
Legal parties
The agreement should clearly name the promisor and the promisee.
- 2
Court reliance
The court considered whether the promisee had relied on the promise before spending the money.
- 3
Multiple promisees
If there are several promisees, each one may need to agree before the contract is changed.
See also
Similar
- obligee
- promised party
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- promisor
- obligor
Used with (collocations)
- promisor and promisee
- rights of the promisee
- promisee may sue
Word family
Explore
- contract
- third-party beneficiary
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- promiseenoun